Window regulator mechanism



`lune 11, 1963 Filed Feb. 24, 1961 D. C. PRQBST WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 11, 1963 D- C- PROBST WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1961 H TTOE/VEY June 11, 1963 D. c. PRoBsT WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. 24, 1961 HTTOE/VEY United States Patent O 3,093,404 WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Delbert C. Probst, Detroit, Mich., assigner to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 91,363 6 Claims. (Cl. 296-44) This invention relates to a window regulator mechanism and more particularly to an improved guiding and stabilizing means for a vehicle window movable between open and closed positions with respect to a window well.

The guide and stabilizing means of this invention is particularly adapted for use on vehicle windows of compound curvature, although it is equally adaptable for use with flat vehicle windows or those having only curvature in one plane. At the present time there are many difficulties in controlling the movement of vehicle windows between .open and closed positions, particularly when the window does not move along a straight, vertical path. Many common window regulator mechanisms for moving vehicle windows along paths other than straight vertical paths employ front and -rear arcuately curved guide channels which open either inboard or outboard of .the vehicle door and are pivotally and slidably connected .to the window. The guide channels control both lateral and longitudinal shifting movement of the window, but since they are curved in only one plane, usually longitudinally of the body, many diiiiculties are presented when such guiding means are used with vehicle windows of compound curvature. Further, it is diicult to stabilize the window against lateral tilting movement, particularly due to the weight of the window and the fact that the only connection between the window and either the window regulator mechanism or the guide means is along the bottom edge of the window.

The guiding and stabilizing means of this invention avoids substantially all of the disadvantages inherent with presently known constructions and further is adaptable for use with windows of varying curvature, -either compound or single planar, or with flat windows, and is adequate to not only control lateral and longitudinal shifting movement of the window and lateral tilting movement of the window, but to guide the Window so that the window moves easily and smoothly between its open and closed positions.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a front guiding means which is arcuately curved longitudinally of the body is pivotally connected to the window in a manner such that this guiding means control only longitudinal forward shifting movement of the window but freely allows longitudinal rearward shifting movement and lateral tilting movement of the window relative thereto. An intermediate guiding means which is also curved longitudinally of .the body is resiliently supported on the body lso as to shift laterally with the window as required but to resist such movement of the window. This guiding means controls both lateral and longitudinal shifting movement of the window, and the shifting of the guiding means with the window is adequate to permit use of this intermediate guiding means with Windows of compound curvature. A rear guiding means resiliently resists both longitudinal and lateral shifting movement of the window and cooperates with the front and intermediate guiding means in moving the window easily and smoothly between its open and closed positions.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved window regulator mechanism. Another object of this invention is to provide `a new and improved guiding and stabilizing means for vehicle windows. A further object of this invention is to provide a ice new and impro-ved window regulator mechanism including guiding means and stabilizing means allowing the =win dow regulator mechanism to be used with Windows of compound curvature, single planar curvature, or with -flat windows. A more speciiic object of this invention is to provide a new .and improved guiding and stabilizing means for vehicle windows which includes guiding means resiliently resisting shifting movement of the Window but yet accommodating such lateral shifting movement of the window as it moves between its open and closed positions.

These and other objects of the invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a partially broken away partial side elevational View of a vehicle body including a front door and a front do-or window mounted on the door for movement between open and closed positions by means of a window regulator mechanism including guiding and stabilizing means according to this invention, with the window being shown in closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a View similar to FIGURE 1 showing the window in open position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partially broken away view taken generally along the plane indicated by line 3 3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view ltaken generally along the plane indicated by line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by line 5-5 of FIG- URE l; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional View taken generally along the plane indicated by line 6 6 of FIG- URE 1.

Referring now to the drawings, a vehicle body 10 includes a Windshield 12 and a front door 14 swingably mounted on the body 10 at its forward edge 16 for movement between open and closed positions, with door 14 being held in closed position by suitable latch means mounted on the door adjacent its rearward edge 18 and cooperating with striker means mounted on the body. A ventilation window 20 is mounted on the door 14 for swinging movement about a'generally vertical axis between a closed position, as shown, land an open posi-tion, not shown, in order to open and close the forward portion of th-e door window opening 22. The rearward portion of the door window opening is opened and closed Iby a vertically movable door window 24 which is of compound curvature in the `specific embodiment shown. A channel-shaped frame member 26 is xedly secured to the forward edge of the window 24 Iand la channel-shaped frame member 28 is fixedly secured to the lower edge thereof.

A support or back plate 30 is mounted in a -suitable manner on the door inner panel 32 and mounts an electric motor 34 driving into a reduction gear box 36 having an output pinion 38. The pinion 38 meshes with a sector 4t) which is fixed at 4Z .to a lift or driving arm 44 pivoted at 45 to the inner panel 32. The upper end of the driving arm 44 pivotally mounts a roller 46 which is pivotally and slidably received within a cam channel 48 fixed at S0 to the frame member Z8. A generally L- shaped balance arm 52 -is pivoted at 54 intermediate the ends thereof, to the lift arm 44, with one end of the balance arm pivotally mounting a roller 56 pivotally and slidably received within channel 48, and the other end thereof similarly mounting -a roller 58 which is pivotally and slidably received within an arcuately shaped channel 60 secured by brackets 62 and adjustable bolts 64 to the door inner panel 32. Channel 60 is curved only longitudinally :of the body.

Since the only pivotal connection between the window regulator mechanism, including the lift arm 44 and the balance arm 52, and the window 24 is lby means of the rollers 46 and 56, some means must be provided to control longitudinal shifting movement of the window relative to the window regulator mechanism and to also control both lateral shifting movement and lateral tilting movement of the window, since the weight of the window tends to tilt the window inboard and outboard of the body about the rollers 46 or 56.

Referring now particularly to FlGURES l and 3 of the drawings, a front guide channel 66 opens rearwardly of the body and is arcuately curved longitudinally thereof. The lower end of the channel 66 is xedly secured to an angular bracket 68 which is bolted at 70 to :a bracket 72 secured to the lower wall 74 of door l14. The upper end of channel 66 is fixedly secured to a generally U-shaped bracket 76 -adjustably bolted at 73 to the inner panel 32 of the door. A generally rec-tangularly-shaped nylon guide shoe 80 is slidably received in the channel 66 and is pivoted at S2 to a depending portion of the frame member 26. It can be seen that the channel 66 and guide shoe 80 will control longitudinal forward shifting movement of the window 24, but will `not control rearward longitudinal shifting movement of the window or lateral shifting and tilting movement of the window due to the fact that the channel 66 opens rearwardly and the shoe 3G is pivoted to the window 24 and is of smaller extent than channel 66.

As best shown in FIGURES l `and 5, la resilient plate member 84 has the forward edge thereof secured to the outboard leg of the channel 66 and the rearward edge thereof secured to yan inwardly opening guide channel 86 which is arcuately curved longitudinally of the body. The guide channel 86 pivotally and slidably receives a roller 88 pivotally secured to a bracket 9G which depends from the lower frame member 28 of the window 24 adjacent the forward edge thereof. It can be seen that the channel 86 and the roller 8S will control both forward and rearward longitudinal shifting movement of the window 24. It will be further noted that the resilient plate member 84 allows the channel 86 to shift laterally inwardly and outwardly as required during the opening and closing movement of the window 2.4 but will resist such lateral movement of the channel and of the window whereby the channel 86 both guides and stabilizes the window.

The rearward edge portion of the window y24 is both guided and stabilized by a strip member 92 having its lower bent end adjustably bolted at 94 -to a bracket 96 secured to the lower wall 74 of the door 114 yand having its upper cnd adjustably bolted at 93 to a bracket 10ft, FIG- URE 4, which is secured to the door outer panel i102. a

An offset bracket i104 has its upper edge portion bolted at 106 to the frame member 2S and its lower edge portion bolted at 108 to a pair of channel members 11i) which open toward each other. Each channel member includes end walls llli1i2 terminating in flanges `1111 which abut each other, with spacer members 1116 being provided between the flanges l114 and the lower edge portion yof the bracket 104 which is bolted thereto at 108 as previously mentioned. A channel-shaped nylon guide shoe 11S is received within each channel member 110, with its web or face portion abutting the strip member 92 `and with its legs being resiliently seated on a rubber or other resilient block 120 received within the channel member and secured thereto.

It will be noted that it is possible for the guide shoes i118 to shift longitudinally forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the strip member 92 as the -window 24 shifts longitudinally forwardly Iand rearwardly, and further that the resilient seating of the guide shoes 118` Iby the blocks 120 `allows lateral shifting movement of the Iwindow 24 relative to the strip member 92 as required during opening and closing movement of the window. However, the resilient seating of the shoes 118 resists such longitudinal and lateral shifting movement.

The window is shown in closed position -in FGURE l and in open position in FIGURE 2, and the operation of the window regulator mechanism, including the lift arm 24, the balance arm 52 and the guide channel 6i), in moving the window between these positions, is believed obvious without 'further description.

The function of the front guide channel -and its pivotal connection to the forward edge of the window by means of the nylon tguide shoe is to control longitudinal forward Shifting movement of the window, but allow rearward longitudinal shifting movement thereof and both lateral shifting yand tilting movement thereof. The function of the guide channel 86 is to control longitudinal forward and rearward shifting movement of the Window 24, .and yet `allow lateral shifting movement thereof, within limits, due to the resilient mounting of this guide channel on the body by means of the plate member 34. The function of .the rear strip member 92 and its connection to the window 24 is to resist longitudinal shifting movement iof the window by means of the resilient pressure of the nylon guide shoes 118 against the strip member 92, but permit such movement within limits. Window 24 is stabilized against lateral tilting movement by the three-point suspension system including the roller 88, the roller 58, yand the guide shoes 118. It will further be noted that the roller 53 is located below the roller 83 and the guide shoes to aid in stabilizing the window `against lateral tilting movement.

Thus, this invention provides a new and improved guiding and stabilizing means for vehicle windows.

I claim:

fl. A window regulator mechanism for a vehicle window movable in ya multiplicity of planes between open and closed positions with respect to a vehicle body window opening comprising, in combination, means mounted on said body for movement in a fixed plane `and operatively connected to said window for moving said window between said open and closed positions thereof, planar guiding means, means pivotally and slidably connecting said guiding means to said window, means resiliently mounting said guiding means on said body to permit said guiding means -to shift out of its normal plane as required during movement of said window between said positions thereof, second guiding means mounted on said body, and means pivotally and slidably connecting said second guiding means to said window.

2. A window regulator mechanism for a vehicle window movable in a multiplicity of planes between open and closed positions with respect to a vehicle body window opening comprising, in combination, means mounted on ysaid body for movement in a fixed plane and operatively connected to said window for moving said window between said open and closed positions thereof, a planar guide member, means pivotally |and slidably connecting said guide member to said window, means resiliently mounting said guide imember on said body to permit said member to shift out of its normal plane as required during movement of said window between said positions thereof, guiding means mounted on said body, and means pivotally and slidably connecting said guiding means to said window.

3. A window regulator mechanism for a vehicle window movable in a multiplicity of planes between open and closed positions with respect to a vehicle body window opening comprising, in combination, means mounted on said body for movement in a fixed plane and operatively connected to said window for moving said window between said open and closed positions thereof, planar guiding means, means pivotally and slidably connecting said guiding means to said window, means resiliently mounting said guiding means on said body to permit said guiding means to shift out of its normal plane as required `during movement of said window between said positions thereof, second guiding means fixedly mounted on said body, a guided member engageable with said second guiding means, means resiliently seating said guided member to permit said member to move laterally of said guiding means, and means mounting said guided member and seating means on said window.

4. A window regulator mechanism for a vehicle wind-ow movable in a multiplicity of planes between open and closed positions with respect to a vehicle body window opening comprising, in combination, means mounted on said body for movement in a `iixed plane and operatively connected to said window for moving said window between said open and closed positions thereof, rst planar guiding means, means pivotally and slidably connecting said irst guiding means to said window, means resiliently mounting said guiding means *on said body to permit said guiding means to shift out of its normal plane as required Iduring movement of said window between said positions thereof, a guide member rixedly mounted on said body, a pair fof guide shoes, each engaging one side of said member, support means secured to said window, and means yon said support means resiliently seating said guide shoes to permit lateral movement of said window relative to said guide member.

5. A window regulator mechanism for a vehicle window movable in a multiplicity of planes between open and closed positions -with respect to a vehicle body window opening, comprising, in combination, means mounted on said body for movement in a xed plane and operatively connected to said window for moving said window between said positions thereof, iirst means controlling longitudinal shifting movement of said window in one direction and freely permitting longitudinal shifting movement of said window in the other direction and freely permitting lateral tilting movement of said window, second planar means controlling longitudinal shifting movement of said window in either direction and lateral tilting movement of said window, and means resiliently mounting said second means on said body to permit said second means to shift out of its normal plane as required during movement of said window between said positions thereof.

6. A window regulator mechanism for a vehicle window movable in a multiplicity of planes between open and closed positions with respect to a vehicle body window opening, comprising, in combination, means mounted on said body for movement in a tired plane and operatively connected to said window for moving said window between said positions thereof, planar means contro-lling longitudinal shifting movement of said window in either direction and lateral tilting movement of said window, and means resiliently mounting said planar means on said body to permit said planar means lto shift out of its normal plane as required during movement of said wind-ow between said positions thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,390,271 Rappl Dec. 4, 1945 2,874,421 Nardulli Feb. 24, 1959 2,969,977 Himka Jan. 31, 1961 

1. A WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM FOR A VEHICLE WINDOW MOVABLE IN A MULTIPLICITY OF PLANES BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO A VEHICLE BODY WINDOW OPENING COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BODY FOR MOVEMENT IN A FIXED PLANE AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID WINDOW FOR MOVING SAID WINDOW BETWEEN SAID OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS THEREOF, PLANAR GUIDING MEANS, MEANS PIVOTALLY AND SLIDABLY CONNECTING SAID GUIDING MEANS TO SAID WINDOW, MEANS RESILIENTLY MOUNTING SAID GUIDING MEANS ON SAID BODY TO PERMIT SAID GUIDING MEANS TO SHIFT OUT OF ITS NORMAL PLANE AS REQUIRED DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID WINDOW BETWEEN SAID POSITIONS THEREOF, SECOND GUIDING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BODY, AND MEANS PIVOTALLY AND SLIDABLY CONNECTING SAID SECOND GUIDING MEANS TO SAID WINDOW. 